Gate-latch.



0. 0. GISH,

. GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1913.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914;

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attowau wi/tmeooeo CHRISTOPHER C. GISH, 0F OATMAN, ARIZONA.

GATE-LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. li gtttmttgfl Feb, 291-, 1%} lat,

Application filed June 3, 1913. Serial No. 771,497.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, Cnins'rornrn C. then, a citizen of the United States, residing at *(latman, in the county of Mohave and State of Arizona, have invented new and useful improvements in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has relation to a catch designed chiefly for gates of the type arranged to open and close by a vertical sliding movement.

The invention relates more particularly to a novel form of catch which is automatic in operation to engage and hold the gate in suspension and which catch is adapted to be tripped to release the gate, which latter automatically closes.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed outv in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing more clearly the catch.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

Posts 1 are set upon opposite sides of the roadway or gate opening and are connected at their upper ends by means of a cross piece 2. A beam 3 is secured at a middle point to the cross piece 2 and extends at a right angle thereto or parallel with the roadway. The beam 3 projects an equal distance upon opposite sides of the cross piece. An upright- 4- is secured to the cross piece near the beam 3 and extends above and below such beam and receives the catch by means of which the gate is held in suspension when open. A brace 5 engages the upper end of the up right a and is secured at its ends to the eX- tremities of the beam 3, thereby strengthening such beam. The gate (3 may be of any construction and is arranged to slide vertically and is directed in its vertical move ments and held in proper position by suitable guide means. The gate is counterbalanced to render its operation easy.

The gate operating means embody two cords 12, which are attached at their lower ends to the gate and pass over guide pulleys secured to the beam 3, the loose ends of the cords dangling so as to be conveniently reached to be pulled upon when it is re 1 ircd to open the gate by sliding the same vertically. A pull upon either one of the cords 12 suffices to open the gate, the same being held elevated by means of the catch which is applied to the lower end of the upright 4-.

The catch comprises a horizontal mem ber 16, a link 1? and a lever 18, the latter being of elbow form and pivoted at 19 to the upright t with its short arm in approximately vertical position and its long arm in substantially horizontal position and servins as a weight to hold the catch projected in. the path of the gate to automatically enthe same and hold it elevated. The link; 1''? is inclined to the vertical and is pivotally connected at its lower end to the upright 1- and has pivotal connection at its upper end with the inner end of the horizontal member 16, the outer end of such member being pivoted to the vertical arm of the lever 18. A keeper 2O embraces the horizontal member 16 and holds the same in proper position. Trip cords 21 are attached to the outer end of the trip lever 18 and extend along the beam 8, the loose ends 22 of such trip cords hanging so as to be within convenient reach to be drawn upon for re leasing the catch when it is required to close the gate. l Vhen the gate is elevated and reaches the catch it engages and rides upon the link 17, thereby pressing the upper end of such link and the attached member 16 outward and after the part of the gate clears the link and horizontal member the latter is moved inward by the weight of the horizontal arm of the lever 18, thereby engaging the gate and holding the same suspended. A pull upon either one of the trip cords 21 elevates the outer end of the horizontal arm of the lever 18 and moves the member 16 outward, thereby withdrawing it "rom engagement with the upper rod or bar of the gate and the latter being liberated closes by gravitative action. The gate may be opened from either approach by pulling upon the loose end of a cord 12 and may be tripped so as to close automatically by pulling upon the loose end of either one of the cords 21 after the person has passed through the gate opening.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is-

l. A catch for holding a Vertically movable gate in suspension, said catch embodying a horizontal member, a link inclined to the vertical and pivotally connected at its lower end to a support and having pivotal connection at its upper end with the inner end of the horizontal member, and a lever of elbow form pivoted at the elbow and arranged with one arm in substantially horizontal position and its other arm in approximately vertical position and pivotally connected to the outer end of the before mentioned horizontal member.

2. A catch for holding a vertically movable gate in suspension, said catch embodying a horizontal member, a link inclined to the vertical and pivotally connected at its lower end to a support and having pivotal connection at its upper end with the inner end of the horizontal member, a lever of elbow form pivoted at the elbow and arranged with one arm in substantially horizontal position and its other arm in approximately vertical position and pivotally connected to the outer end of the before mentioned horizontal member, the horizontal arm of the lever serving to normally hold the horizontal member of the catch projected, and trip cords attached to the outer end of the horizontal arm of the lever and extending in opposite directions to be drawn upon for releasing the catch.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHRISTOPHER C. GISH. lVitnesses JAMES H. GIsH, J. R. LOGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Yatents,

Washington, D. C. 

